Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

A summer day camp at SUNY Canton can help area children become inventors.

SUNY Canton will be hosting Camp Invention from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning July 28. The weeklong program will be held in the college’s Richard W. Miller Campus Center.

Camp Invention, a program of Invent Now, is designed for youth in first through sixth grades. It provides students with the opportunity to cultivate the concepts in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The “Morphed!” theme this year focuses on objects, minerals and organisms that change or can be changed.

ALL SMILES – Nadia L. Cheng of Potsdam, Nicolas C. Kelson of Potsdam, Douglas G. Welsh of Canton, and Noah G. Bohl of Potsdam grin after completing the living quarters of the city.

“We supply the environment and resources for children to release their imaginations,” said Ronald J. Tavernier, an assistant professor who teaches biology at SUNY Canton. “We are always amazed at the creativity and innovation students bring to Camp Invention.”

Tavernier is one of several faculty and staff members who help coordinate the annual program. SUNY Canton has hosted Camp Invention since 2011. The college offers the program to help increase students’ exposure to STEM programs at an early age.

The program features different modules where students will attempt to discover solutions to problems. Each module is a hands-on experience that emphasizes exploration, discovery and creativity. Children will present their findings and inventions to family and friends at an inventors’ showcase at the end of the week.

The curriculum is designed for students in grades 1-6. All of the sessions are led by certified teachers from the area.

The cost of Camp Invention is $220 a week per student. Families registering two siblings save $25 per child. Families enrolling three or more children will receive $50 off per child.

Parents should register their children as soon as possible to ensure that they can participate. Register online at www.campinvention.org, or by calling 1-800-968-4332.

For more information regarding the program, contact Melissa Michno at (315) 323-0665.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The college’s 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

“The cadets graduated with a full sense of how to do their job, and do it well,” he said. “Our goal is to make our training exceed what is offered at other academies. We want all of our officers to be the best at helping their communities.”

Cadets who completed their training and became sworn officers of area police agencies include:

Ryan J. Cole, Canton Police Department

Dustin D. Currier, Massena Police Department

Ryan E. Davis, Ogdensburg Police Department

Brian R. Guiney, Fort Edwards Police Department (No Picture)

Kory M. Keefer, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Brittany E. Kenyon, Ogdensburg Police Department

Jason W. Knapp, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

Marvin J. Laffin, Norfolk Police Department

Sean M. Lasala, Norwood Police Department

Robert W. Lent, Jr., St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Brandon S. Murray, Norfolk Police Department

Kevin M. O’Connell, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Justin R. Polniak, Ogdensburg Police Department

Benjamin M. Rockwood, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Craig A. Rogers, Sackets Harbor Police Department

Andrew W. Stone, Norwood Police Department

Heidy L. Tharrett, Sackets harbor Police Department

Mollie J. Towles, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Cory A. Williams, Antwerp Police Department

Khrystyna Yefremova, Athens Police Department

Cadets who completed the pre-employment course in preparation for their future careers as police officers include:

Ryan F. Dean

Kinga Kanczura

Daniel P. LaDue

Kelly S. LaPrade

Isaac D. Lashomb

Eric C. Miles

The Law Enforcement Academy at SUNY Canton provides further career and educational options for those studying in the criminal justice fields. Students in the college’s Law Enforcement Leadership program can complete their senior-level internship by participating in the academy training.

Cadets learn from current and former law enforcement professionals. Topics of study include defensive tactics, evidence collection, photography, radio communications, courtroom testimony, interviews and interrogations, among other topics.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The college’s 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

SUNY Canton received approval to begin reviewing applications from businesses interested in partnering with the College in the Start-Up NY initiative.

“SUNY Canton provides the perfect partner for diverse industries,” said Executive Director for University Relations Lenore VanderZee, who oversees the College’s Start-Up NY ventures. “Empire State Development has given the green light to the College’s Campus Plan, which outlines the properties available and the application process.”

Start-Up NY was developed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to transform SUNY campuses and other university communities across the state into tax-free communities for new and expanding businesses. Eligible businesses that partner with SUNY Canton will be able to operate state tax-free for 10 years, including property, income, sales and corporate tax.

Qualified businesses include those that are just starting up, existing New York businesses expanding within the state and businesses relocating from another state or country into New York. In order o participate in Start-UP NY, businesses need to support the academic mission of the college or university with which they hope to work. SUNY Canton already has one business application under review and has several more proposals in the pipeline.

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

SUNY Canton’s Career Ready Education and Success Training (CREST) Center for Workforce Development and the SUNY Canton Automotive Department will be offering a course on Snap-On’s VERUS PRO automotive diagnostic equipment.

The course will be held 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on June 23 and 25 at SUNY Canton’s Nevaldine Technology Center South 133. Brandon J. Baldwin, an assistant professor who teaches in the Automotive Technology program, will lead the course.

Attendees will be introduced to VERUS PRO hardware and software. The scan tool system allows workers to connect to a vehicle and the Internet via a portable touch screen tablet. Software exclusive to the tool provides vehicle-specific code tips, symptoms and timesavers for a faster repair.

The CREST Center for Workforce Development recently completed a course on programmable logic controllers. The course introduced sequencer systems that permit complex control and monitoring of machines. Area companies who sent representatives to the training included North Country Dairy, Potsdam Specialty Paper, and Dow Electric, Inc.

The CREST Center for Workforce Development brings industry training and education to professionals in northern New York. It offers Workforce Development by offering continuing education for obtaining and maintaining professional certifications.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

Two SUNY Canton employees were recently elected to the St. Lawrence County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which promotes equity and education for women and girls.

Executive Director for Community Programs Betty Connolly was elected as president and Travel Coordinator Tina Flanagan was elected as vice president. They were installed by 116th Assemblywoman Addie Russell, a member of the Jefferson County Branch.

Flanagan became a member last year, and Connolly has been member of AAUW for 10 years. She previously served as vice president and received the association’s 2013 Emerging Leader Award. Both have been involved in AAUW events, including the annual professional clothing fair held at SUNY Canton, which helps students acquire business attire for internships and interviews.

AAUW and the SUNY Canton Foundation also co-sponsor an annual scholarship for a female SUNY Canton student from St. Lawrence County who is interested in pursing a degree in one of the science, technology, engineering or mathematic fields.

About AAUW

AAUW is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. AAUW has more than 150,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and 700 college and university partners. Membership is open to anyone who supports the mission of AAUW, regardless of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or class.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

Pictured are, (l to r) Grace R. Bessette, Abby E. Warner and Lizzy C. Christy from Canton’s J.M. McKenny Middle School. The three students took turns learning to operate surveying equipment at SUNY Canton. They were among the 120 area students to participate in the College’s Women in Engineering Day. Faculty members held activities to demonstrate the hands-on aspects of careers that start with an education in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Madelyn L. Lawrence, an eighth grader from Clifton Fine Central School tests water samples from the Grasse River as part of SUNY Canton’s Women in Engineering Day. Groups of students were given water samples and taught how to purify them during a demonstration in the College’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology program.

SUNY Canton presented the 2014 Distinguished Citizen Award to a spiritual leader who has enriched the lives of those in the Canton community.

The Rev. Mother Evette Austin of Grace Episcopal Church in Canton was recognized for her leadership in bringing the community together and helping those in need.

Austin began working to raise funds to renovate the Grace Episcopal kitchen in 2011 to begin serving a weekly free meal to those less fortunate. The event provides food for approximately 250 people and has brought volunteers from all corners of the community to help cook and serve the meals, including students from SUNY Canton.

“This experience has both rewarded and enriched our students,” said Courtney Battista Bish, SUNY Canton dean of students. “Many have said that working in the soup kitchen and with Mother Evette has truly changed their lives.”

In her role as SUNY Canton campus minister, Austin provides spiritual guidance to students and organizes a “Blessing of the Brains” event where she, along with other campus ministers, assist students by giving out small gift bags with food and prayer just before final exams. She has also spearheaded a Thanksgiving Service, held each year before Thanksgiving break, for students, faculty and staff.

“Mother Evette is one of the most selfless people I know, never tiring of sharing her time and talents with both the SUNY Canton and Village of Canton communities,” said Janet E. Livingston, SUNY Canton secretary for the Division of Academic Support Services and Instructional Technologies. “She loves the students and loves to interact with them.”

After learning about community members’ need for basic necessities, Austin also created a food pantry and emergency closet for anyone who requires food or supplies.

“Mother Evette is truly a ‘giver’ in every sense of the word and has been a role model to all of us,” said Bish. “She provides hope to the to the economically and spiritually depressed, and she is certainly a beacon of light at SUNY Canton.”

Beyond campus, Austin has promoted the ecumenical community in Canton by holding monthly clergy meetings, supporting an ecumenical summer Bible school and organizing an annual Palm Sunday parade in Canton. She is also a member of the Rotary Club and the village Planning Board.

Austin was born and raised in Barbados. She completed her seminary education at the General Theological Seminary in New York City and previously served as a deacon in Connecticut. She was ordained at Grace Episcopal Church in 2006.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

More than 250 North Country residents learned how to prepare for disasters at the Citizen Preparedness Corps training hosted at SUNY Canton on Saturday, April 5.

National Guard members presented on proactive planning solutions to help respond to disasters. More than 250 people attended the training at SUNY Canton.

New York State Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo started the trainings with a goal of preparing 100,000 New York residents to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors if an emergency strikes. Members of the state’s National Guard presented a variety of ways to help residents to be proactive.

New York State Assemblymember Addie J. Russell said, “This initiative is about teaching New Yorkers what they can do in their own homes and for their neighbors to prepare for and respond to future emergencies. This is a truly visionary approach when you think about it – building a smarter, safer New York from the ground up.”

New York State Assemblymember Addie J. Russell personally thanked area Boy Scouts for attending the Citizen Preparedness Corps training.

Among the emergencies that attendants learned about included natural, man-made and technological. The National Guard members recommended advanced planning with all family members before an emergency strikes.

“It is important to get the message out that anyone can prepare for emergencies,” said Michael J. LeCuyer, St. Lawrence County emergency services director. “Some things will be beyond people’s control and they may need assistance from emergency services, but we want to empower people to take care of emergencies on their own. By doing so we can provide better services to those who need it the most.”

Additional tips from the two-hour training included stocking up on food and water for at least 7 to 10 days. Typically, residents should save a gallon of water per person per day. Additionally, trainers advised photographing personal items of value and have important documents on hand and safely protected from water and fire.

Pictured are area preparedness experts (L to R) Fire Protection Specialist Christopher Taylor from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Region III Office of Emergency Management Director Bruce Jordan, New York State Police Lieutenant Troy J. Granmoe, St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Michael J. LeCuyer, and St Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells.

“The importance of this training is neighbors taking care of neighbors,” Said St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells, who is a 1980 graduate of SUNY Canton. “If we don’t help each other, what are we going to do? We are in an isolated part of the state and we need to take care of ourselves.”

SUNY Canton has majors in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. It is also home to the North Country Emergency Medical Services Program Agency. The Citizen Preparedness Corps training fits well within the scope of the programs and services offered at the College.

The College is vying to house the State’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cyber Security through a partnership with Clarkson University, Potsdam. The Colleges would become the first in the nation devoted to homeland security and would establish integrated education, training and research in a comprehensive public-private partnership.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

The SUNY Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Zvi Szafran as SUNY Canton’s fourth president today, Thursday, April 3.

Dr. Szafran is currently the vice president for academic affairs and professor of chemistry at Southern Polytechnic State University in the University System of Georgia, a position he has held since 2005. He will begin his duties at SUNY Canton in the beginning of July.

“I am thrilled to be joining SUNY Canton at such an exciting time,” he said. “With the College’s unique mission and strong strategic plan, there are great opportunities on the horizon.”

Dr. Szafran will replace Acting President Dr. Joseph C. Hoffman, who has led the College since June 2013.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Szafran to the SUNY Canton family,” said Dr. Hoffman. “His understanding of the value of SUNY Canton’s mission was evident during his campus visit, and it is clear that he is the right choice to lead the College.”

Ronald M. O’Neill, SUNY Canton College Council chair and chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said, “Dr. Szafran’s background, experience and leadership are perfectly suited to our campus. All of us at the College look forward to his arrival and to working together with him.”

Dr. Szafran also served as the vice president for academic affairs at New England College in New Hampshire from 1998-2005. Previously, he held several positions at Merrimack College in Massachusetts, including dean of science and engineering, chairman of the chemistry department, assistant to the dean of arts and sciences, and professor. Szafran earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree, also in chemistry, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

In addition to the SUNY Canton announcement, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg as president of SUNY Potsdam. Dr. Esterberg is currently the provost and academic vice president at Salem State University in Massachusetts.

“With new presidents at SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton, the students, faculty and staff at both campuses will have excellent leadership in place as they continue their impeccable service to New York’s North Country communities,” said SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Dr. Hefner and Dr. Hoffman for their interim leadership, and the presidential search committees at both campuses for bringing us this highly promising next generation.”

“This is an exciting and proud day for all of SUNY and New York State,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Not only do Dr. Esterberg and Dr. Szafran each bring unique experience and an impressive history of leadership to SUNY; their appointments also pave the way for continued system-wide efficiency to be achieved through shared services. I look forward to working with Dr. Esterberg and Dr. Szafran, and commend the Board for recognizing their talent.”

Dr. Szafran and his wife, Jill, have one son, Mark.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 463,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs, and more than 1.8 million NYS citizens in professional development and personal enrichment programs, on 64 college and university campuses. There are nearly 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.

“We have robust academic programs in the fields of Homeland Security, and Emergency Management in addition to our renowned Criminal Justice curricula,” said SUNY Canton Acting President Joseph C. Hoffman. “This training augments what many of our students are learning in their courses and is designed to prepare the public for natural or man-made disasters.”

State Senator Patty A. Ritchie, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chair Jonathan Putney, and the St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Office are cosponsoring the training.

The two-hour program comes with a free disaster preparedness kit, including a first-aid kit, pocket radio with batteries, food bars, emergency blanket and other key items to help citizens in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Participants will be advised on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies.

SUNY Canton is in the running to become the State’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cyber Security through a partnership with Clarkson University, Potsdam. The Colleges would become the first in the nation devoted to homeland security and would establish integrated education, training and research in a comprehensive public-private partnership.

About the Citizen Preparedness Corps:

The Citizen Preparedness Corps training began in February and has been held about a dozen times in various locations across the state. Trainings are led by the New York National Guard, working with experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Training sessions will be coordinated with local county emergency management personnel.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.